Today, the Merlot is deep, dense and powerful, but it also drinks surprisingly well for the year. Dark cherry, mocha, plum, smoke, licorice, spice and French oak are all quite forward. Drink this plump, giving Merlot over the next handful of years. The 40% new French oak is a bit dominant today.

-- Antonio Galloni

Medium-dark ruby; assertive, spicy, cherry and red berry fruit aroma with hints of dill, olive, and mocha; medium-full to full body; herbal, toasty, red fruit flavors with a int of dark chocolate and a bit hard-edged on the finish; medium-full full tannin; linger aftertaste. Deserves a few more years of bottle ageing. Highly recommended.